ANNOUNCING THE 2024 HUMAN ANIMAL BOND INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

The Pet Effect

Did you know that 97% of doctors believe there are health benefits to owning a pet?

Learn more about The Pet Effect here.

Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) Honors:

CancerCare

Public Service Category

Meals on Wheels America

Public Service Category

Sesame Workshop

Media Category

Kimpton Hotels

Pet-Inclusive Culture Category

Tybee Island Police Department

Pet-Inclusive Infrastructure Category

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) today announced the winners of its annual Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards, which recognize companies and organizations with innovative products and programs designed to advance the human-animal bond and create a more pet-friendly society. The 2024 Human Animal Bond Innovation Award winners are:

Public Service Category: CancerCare

CancerCare’s Pet Assistance and Wellness (PAW) program helps people diagnosed with cancer stay together with their beloved pet by providing financial assistance for pet-related expenses, such as pet food, vet visits, pet sitting and boarding. The PAW Program was launched in 2020 and has given over 3,700 financial assistance grants to date.

Public Service Category: Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels bridges human services and animal welfare to ease the challenges of pet ownership and preserve the human-animal bond. What started as small programs providing ad hoc support has grown to be robust and multi-faceted programs encompassing an array of services, including pet food and supply deliveries, access to veterinary care, grooming, emergency boarding, and dog walking. The organization has also released national research findings to the public to raise awareness among new audiences about the prevalence of social isolation and the effectiveness of pet programs as a solution

The Public Service category is sponsored by Zoetis.

Media Category: Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop believes that children often have special relationships with animals. Whether it’s a family pet or a stuffed animal, furry friends can provide kids an avenue for learning new skills, while growing in self-confidence, empathy, and friendship. Sesame Workshop launched a preschool-focused, digital series – Best Friends Fur-ever – about a 4-year-old girl, Julia, with autism and her pet dog Rose, and how they support one another’s physical and emotional needs. Sesame Workshop has also hosted webinars for people to learn about the science of the human-animal bond with leading researchers in the field, specifically about how animal-assisted interventions can support autistic children’s well-being.

Pet-Inclusive Culture Category: Kimpton Hotels

Pets are welcome at more than 76 Kimpton Hotels locations in 55 cities around the world. In 1992, Kimpton became the first hotel company to introduce a brand-wide pet-friendly policy. The standard pet policy welcomes two pets of any size for no additional fee. Bill Kimpton, the hotel’s founder, would bring his dog Chianti to work with him, and today there are even honorary dog staff across select Kimpton hotels. These Directors of Pet Relations greet guests in the lobby and quality test the pet amenities, which include pet beds, water bowls, and food. Some benefits for pet owners include a concierge list of nearby pet-friendly restaurants, parks, groomers and pet boutiques and complimentary access to Wag! Premium during the stay, which connects dog owners to professional pet caregivers in the area.

The Pet-Inclusive Culture category is sponsored by Nestlé Purina.

Pet-Inclusive Infrastructure Category: Tybee Island Police Department

The Tybee Island (Georgia) Police Department partnered with Humane Society for Greater Savannah to help adoptable pets. This new program, “K9 for a Day”, selects dogs – and some cats – to spend the day with Tybee Island police officers. The adoptable pets ride in patrol cars and have meet & greets in the community. Every pet that has participated has been adopted or found a foster home – many times on the same day they join the patrol. The program has tremendous support from the entire department and the community. It serves as a model for community partnerships for other law enforcement agencies and animal welfare organizations that constantly need creative ideas to help shelter animals find homes.

“PetSmart Charities is proud to again be the Presenting Sponsor for the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards to celebrate the human-animal bond and how this relationship is being supported and honored across communities,” said Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities and Vice Chair of the HABRI Board of Trustees. “This year’s winners safeguard and enhance the relationship between pets and people in unique, innovative ways and we hope to inspire others through recognizing and sharing their important work.”

“HABRI is grateful to Presenting Sponsor: PetSmart Charities; Category Sponsors: Purina and Zoetis; and Supporting Sponsor, the World Pet Association,” said HABRI President Steven Feldman. “These organizations have not only made the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards possible, but they have also demonstrated a strong and enduring commitment to the human-animal bond.”

For more information about these winners and the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards, please visit www.habri.org/hab-innovation-awards

About HABRI

HABRI is a not-for-profit organization that funds innovative scientific research to document the health benefits of companion animals; educates the public about human-animal bond research; and advocates for the beneficial role of companion animals in society. For more information, please visit http://www.habri.org.

Contact

Hayley Maynard

Hayley@inspireprgroup.com

614.701.8205

###

Press Releases

Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) Shareable Infographic: 5 Ways the Human-Animal Bond is Improving Lives During the Pandemic

In recognition of how pets are helping us during the pandemic and just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) has created a new shareable infographic, “5 Ways the Human-Animal Bond is Improving Lives During the Pandemic”. The infographic highlights research showing the positive role of pets in providing companionship and relief from stress, anxiety and loneliness. “This is the time of year when many of us reflect on all of the things for which we are thankful. For pet owners, the human-animal bond is high on that list,” said HABRI Executive Director Steven Feldman, “HABRI’s goal is to raise awareness of the important role of human-animal bond, especially during difficult times.” This infographic is part of an ongoing series to share human-animal bond research. In October, HABRI released the “Top 5 Health Benefits of Cat Ownership” infographic. In June, HABRI shared “Can Pets Help You Live Longer?“.

Press Releases

New Survey: 1 in 5 Pet Owners have had a Pet Recommended by a Doctor or Therapist

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced today key findings from its benchmark survey of U.S. pet owners. The survey found that growing importance and knowledge of the human-animal bond drive actions to improve both human and animal wellbeing. “These new results capture how pets are front-and-center in our lives, a trend accelerated by the pandemic,” said Steven Feldman, president of HABRI. “Pets are so important, especially to our mental health, that more than 1-in-5 pet owners said a doctor or therapist had recommended pet ownership.” HABRI first fielded its benchmark survey in 2016, providing a window into how attitudes, knowledge and behaviors have changed over the last five years. Important increases were noted in those reporting health benefits related to pet ownership and time spent with pets. • 76% of pet owners report that their personal health has improved as a result of owning a pet, up from 71% in 2016 (+5%) • 87% of pet owners say that they have experienced mental health improvements from pet ownership, up from 74% in 2016 (+13%) • 83% of pet owners say they spend most of or a big part or most of the day with their pets, up from 78% in 2016 (+5%) Connected to these increases, more people are aware of and talking about the human-animal bond with each other and with their medical professionals. 97% of pet owners are aware of at least one scientifically-documented health benefit of the human-animal bond 64% of pet owners have had a conversation with someone in the past year about the health benefits of pet ownership 22%, more than 1-in-5, pet owners have had a pet recommended for their health by a doctor or therapist 63% of pet owners have discussed the health benefits of the human-animal bond with their veterinarian (75% of Gen Z/Millennials), up from 56% in 2016 (+7%) Results strongly indicate that the more pet owners learn about scientific research on the benefits of the human-animal bond, the more likely they are to take...

Press Releases

Embrace Pet Insurance Supports Human-Animal Bond Research

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced today that Embrace Pet Insurance, one of the highest-rated U.S. pet insurance companies, has become an official supporter of HABRI and its research on the human health benefits of companion animals. “When pet owners become part of the Embrace family, we strive to strengthen the human-animal bond, especially when pet parents need it most,” said Ambrish Jaiswal, CEO of Embrace Pet Insurance. “By supporting HABRI, Embrace Pet Insurance is proudly helping to advance human-animal bond research that demonstrates the positive role that healthy pets play in our lives.” “We know from research that pets are considered part of the family, and that pet owners want what’s best for their four-legged family members,” said Steven Feldman, Executive Director of HABRI. “Embrace helps to provide and sustain healthy pets, so that, as family, they are protected against unexpected accidents and illnesses.” Scientific evidence increasingly shows that pets improve heart health; alleviate depression; increase well-being; support child health and development; and contribute to healthy aging. In addition, companion animals can assist in the treatment of a broad range of conditions from post-traumatic stress to Alzheimer’s disease to autism spectrum disorder. The benefits of the human-animal bond impact more than just human health. Findings from a recent HABRI survey of 2,000 pet owners demonstrate that knowledge of the scientific research on the human-animal bond motivates pet owners to take better care of their pets. From providing pets with higher quality nutrition to purchasing pet health insurance, spreading awareness of the health benefits of pet ownership improves pet health and welfare. “Embrace believes in giving back to the pet care community, and supporting HABRI research is perfectly aligned with our company values. We look forward to playing a supportive role for HABRI and helping discover more ways in...